A cylindrical array of exploding conductors embedded in a solid dielectric for pumping a laser

ABSTRACT

A rotatable phased array of explodable conductors is enstructured with a transparent cylinder of dielectric, blastresistant solid, each of the explodable conductors fired in sequence by contact with a high-voltage source upon rotation of the cylindrical ensemble of explodable conductors, to sequentially release brilliant bursts of light including laser pumping light.

United States Patent DeMent 1 Feb. 29, 1972 [54] A CYLINDRICAL ARRAY 0F[56] References Cited EXPLODING CONDUCTORS UMTED STATES PATENTS EMBEDDEDIN A SOLID DIELECTRIC FOR PUMPING A LASER 1,274,009 7/1918 Courtier..43l/99 3,262,070 7/1966 Reuter et ..331/94.5 [72] Inventor: JackDeMent, 4847 Southeast D1V1S101'l Street Portland Oreg- 97206 3,262,0717/1966 Reuter et a1. ..331/94.5

[22] Filed: Nov. 25, 1966 A Primary Examiner-Ronald L. Wibert [2]] APPLNo; 597,505 Assistant Examiner-Edward Bauer Related US. Application Data[57] ABSTRACT [62] Division of Ser. No. 254,536, Jan. 7, 1963, Pat. No.A rotatable phased array ofexplodable conductors is enstruc- 3,300,734.tured with a transparent cylinder of dielectric, blast-resistant solid,each of the explodable conductors fired in sequence by 5, 431/97 contactwith a high-voltage source upon rotation of the cylin- [51] Int. Cl..H01S 3/09 d i n bl of xplodable conductors, to sequentially Fleld ofSearch release brilliant bursts of light including laser pumping light.

2 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PAIENTEUFEB29 I972 SHEET 1 [IF 3 IN V ENTOR.

PATENTEUFEB 29 1972 SHEET 2 BF 3 IN VEN TOR.

PAIENTEDFEB29 I972 SHEET 3 [IF 3 IN V EN TOR.

CYLINDRICAL ARRAY F EXPLODING CONDUCTORS EMBEDDED 1N A SOLID DlELECTRlCFOR PUMPING A LASER This invention is a division of U.S. Ser. No.254,536, filed Jan. 7, 1963, now US. Pat. No. 3,300,734, granted Jan.24, 1967.

This invention relates to a superintensity light source and to a laser(or optical maser) light wave generator. In particular, to animprovement in the art of electrically explodable conductorscharacterized as releasing large amounts of ultraviolet, visible andinfrared radiations which are generated by methods and means hereinafterdisclosed. In certain ultrahigh energy versions of this invention X-raysand Grenz rays are also produced.

Furthermore, this invention relates to lasing methods and meanscharacterized by light emissions in the ultraviolet, visible andinfrared portions of the electromagnetic wave spectrum having power,coherence, monochromaticity, directionality and frequency attributesover and above the socalled incoherent sources of light.

For purposes of this invention and its disclosure and appended claims,as will be explained in detail subsequently, when I employ the termexplosion or the like I do not exclude implosion" or the-like.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide for an irradiabletarget methods and means for the generation of superintensityelectromagnetic waves characterized as lying in the ultraviolet, visibleand infrared portions of the spectrum.

It is an object of this invention to provide an exploding conductorlight wave generator characterized by a moving explodable conductorenstructured by shock constraining elements; furthermore, a movingexplodable conductor characterized as passing into the field of anirradiable target, where it released light energy, and passing out ofthat field in such manner and at such velocity that the target field isspared exposure to shock energy created by the explosion of theconductor.

It is an object of this invention to provide method and means forseparating the light energy from the shock energy produced in aconductor explosion by moving an explodable conductor at such a rate insuch a manner that the velocity difference between electromagneticenergy and shock energy is taken advantage of; that is, an explodableconductor is moved past an irradiable target at a rate which allows thattarget to be irradiated by light waves but not by shock waves because ofthe lower velocity of the latter.

It is another object of this invention to provide methods and means forthe electrical explosion of a phased array of explodable conductors, andto the electrical explosion of a phased array of explodable conductorswherein the array is made up of different conductor materials so as toprovide light emissions of different spectral qualities and quantities.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a laser or opticalmaser light generator and lasing system, including: the high energypumping of a laser resonator or a phased array of resonators with lightenergy derived from a succession of conductor explosions; pumping of alaser resonator or an array of resonators with minimal shock insult tothe resonator system by virtue of shock constrainment and/or velocitysieving, as just mentioned and as discussed in detail hereinafter; thespectral matching of laser pumping frequencies with laser active speciesexcitation frequencies; and the like.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a superintensitylight wave generator characterized as emitting in the ultraviolet,visible and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum incombination with lasing methods and means for such applications as thefollowing;

Research and technology in such variegated areas as specialty and highspeed and micro photography, including wind and shock tunnel andschlieren investigations; irradiable target exposure and substanceirradiation, including flash photolysis, atomic absorption analysis,fluorescence and phosphorescence excitation; interferometry and opticaldesign;

Photomaching, photobending, photowelding of metals and variousinorganics;

Medical and bioscience problems, including photocoagulation,photocauterization, photomicrosurgery, diagnostics, ophthalmologicsurgery, cerebral cortex surgery, and the like;

Signaling, communication, range finding and optical radars, includingproblems involving the transmission of computer data in outer space,geodesy and surveying, data display, and specialty intelligence devicesincluding optical computers;

other objects and features of my invention are particularly pointed outand described hereinafter.

It is a feature of my invention that shock energy is parted byconstrainment from electromagnetic light energy in the course of anelectrically induced explosion of a conductor such as a wire, cylinder,film or foil. Furthermore, the light burst may be obtained at acontrollable and phased sequence rate, from ultraslow to ultrafast,depending upon the particular embodiment of this invention and the rateat which electrical energy is deposited into an explodable conductormember. The light burst is controllable in quality, as in spectralcharacteristics by choice of the explodable conductor or combinationsthereof. Moreover, the light burst is controllable in quantity, as bythe time integral of intensity.

It is another feature of this invention to provide a dynamic ascontrasted to present art wholly static exploding conductor system. Forexample, in the present improvement the explodable conductor is set intomotion with numerous advantages and novel benefits and results. Amongthese is the attainment of conductor explosion rates not now feasiblewith present static explodable conductor assemblies. Also, by moving theconductor into and out of the target field the target is better assuredprotection from shock insult. A broadly novel feature, which I callvelocity sieving," takes advantage of the fact that the velocity ofelectromagnetic radiation such as light waves exceeds shock and likeenergy velocities by a factor of approximately 4-8X10 In velocitysieving, 1 move or displace the explodable conductor in such a fashionthat it is passed into the target field to release its virtuallyinstantaneous burst of light, and is then passed out of the target fieldbefore the release of the much lower velocity shock energy.

A feature of this invention is that in certain embodiments it comprisesa portable explodable conductor system, i.e., a system whereby theexplodable conductor and immediate ancillary members can be detachedfrom the primary electrical feed system. Likewise, this invention isadapted to a wide range in size and energy modifications, as dictated byend-use requirements.

And a feature of this invention is the operancy of an explodableconductor system over a wide range of temperatures and pressure, withinhostile environments, e.g., corrosive atmospheres, in vacuums, andcooperantly with various optical trains.

It is known that if there is applied to an electrical conductor such asa thin wire a large amount of electrical energy that wire will explodewith the release of a very large amount of light. The same is true ofconductors of other geometries, as for example foils and films. if ahollow tube or cylinder or like geometry conductor is the depository ofsufficient electrical energy an implosion," as contrasted to anexplosion," will take place. That is, instead of an outwardly expandingrelease of shock and like energy an inwardly collapsing release of shockand like energy characterizes the energy transduction profile. it isknown that conductor explosions and conductor implosions have certaincommon qualities and similarities. Therefore, when 1 use the termexplosion" herein 1 do not exclude what is embraced in the termimplosion and vice versa unless a specific and special distinction ismade in a particular instance. it is characteristic of the present stateof the art and physics discipline that the two are usually treatedtogether. For the aid of those skilled in the art reference can be madeto Exploding Wires, Vols. l and II, edited by Wm. G. Chace and H. K.Moore (Plenum Press, New York, 1959 and 1962 respectively).

Suffice to state that the art is presently in a fluid state and that nosingle model accounts for all of the phenomena involved in what has beentermed the exploding wire phenomenon," but which is better termed theexploding conductor phenomenon. The exploding conductor can be lookedupon as a black-body:

where M is the mass of the explodable conductor such as wire or film;C,(T) is the specific heat at constant volume; T is the wire temperaturein l(.; P is the electrical energy deposited in the conductor in watts;is the Stefan-Boltzman constant; and A is the area of the explodingconductor. When the conductor is heated very quickly the hydrodynamicloss is negligible. Since the temperature is proportional to the fourthroot of the input power divided by the surface area conductors ispreferred in most instances. If the radiated power is equated with theelectrical power, the relationships become:

sistance; therefore:

It will be noted that these relationships do not always hold, as forexample in the ultrahigh energy, ultrashort time domain of the explodingconductor phenomenon which, although known for many years, has receivedserious theoretical and investigational attention only during the lastdecade, with many puzzling and unexplained facets turning up with eachresearch. Compounded with this is the fact that even within the moreconventional temperatures delimited by hot bodies and usually explainedin terms of black-body relationships certain substances, calledcandoluminescent solids, depart markedly from black-body laws; here, thecandoluminescent solids can comprise a part of the light-emittingexplodable conductor or be an ancillary element, although thesesubstances are not conductors" or explodable" in the usual sense of theword, just as they are not true black-bodies." Furthermore,candoluminescent solids are generally cathodoluminescent, in which casethe energies of explosion produced electrons are transduced into usefulelectromagnetic frequencies.

The present invention and its various features and embodiments will bebetter understood from the following more detailed discussion taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I shows in side elevation certain basic features of my invention,including an explodable conductor 9 enstructured by a moving,transparent, dielectric body member 1 together with conductor firinglead members 4 and 5.

FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B illustrate various phased array explodable conductorarrangements.

FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show in perspective examples of explodableconductor and enstructuring member arrangements;

FIG. 4 shows in perspective a form of this invention taken from FIG. Iand FIG. 33C;

FIG. 5 shows in perspective another form of the explodable conductorsystem;

FIG. 6 represents yet another explodable conductor system, with a phasedarray of conductors.

FIG. 7 illustrates in perspective a form of this invention hav ing aphased array of explodable conductors carried within a cylindroid bodymember;

FIG. 8 depicts in perspective an embodiment including disk enstructuredexplodable conductors in combination with a laser resonator;

FIG. 9 shows in perspective an exploding conductor light producingsystem including a gun and high velocity projectiles carrying explodableconductors, together with an irradiable target such as a laserresonator;

FIG. 9A illustrates in side elevation certain of the detail in FIG. 9.

4 The accompanying drawings in more detail: In FIG. I there is shown inside elevation certain of the basic and salient features of thisinvention. Thus: 1 is a movable ibody member comprising transparentdielectric solid which carries enstructured therein an explodableconductor 2, such as a wire or foil, the ends of which are connected tocontact electrodes 3, these rising to the surface of body I and beingadapted to close circuit with electrical firing lead or contact members4 and 5. Members 4 and 5 may be spaced so as to close circuit withelectrodes 3, and as shown in FIG. 1 are rollable or otherwise movableadjustable to cooperate with the motion 8, described in detail below, ofmatrix I. Support members 6 and 7 are shown on the underside of themember I. When electrical energy is communicated via 4 and 5 it passesthrough electrodes 3 and is deposited in conductor 2, to initiate anexplosion (and/or implosion, as the case may be) represented by 9, withthe release of an intense burst of light L. Since the body l movesbetween 4 and 5, upon members such as 6 and 7, a series of conductorsare exploded in sequence, 10 representing an exploded conductor and IIrepresenting an unexploded conductor. In order to conserve and reuse thelight emitted in directions other than L a reflector member R isappropriately placed above the exploding conductor assembly between 4and 5 or as exemplified by point 9: since in some modifications of thisinvention the shock energy may be partly dissipated by venting in a 2direction other than that of the path of the light L, an addi- In FIG. 3the arrow 8 is taken to represent linear motion or circular motion. Whenthe motion is linear, then the enstructured conductor is, for example, abelt or cylinder or a projectile. When the motion is circular, i.e., atright angles to the plane of the paper, then the body member 1 is, forexample, a spinning disk or whirling ring or annulus. Thus, when l is abelt or cylinder of substantial length (either rigid or flexible) itpasses linearly through 4 and 5 together with supports 6 and 7 (whichmay also comprises means for moving member 1, as when 6 and 7 arerollers, wheels or toothed wheels); the same is the case when member 1is flexible, as in the feeding from a rolled supply of 1 carrying aseries of conductors (after the manner of motion picture film being fedfrom and taken up by spools). With flexible belts, as desired, these maybe of the endless variety, carrying a predetermined number ofconductors.

trodes is in disk form, it may be spun by a center afiixing axel or bytoothed wheels engaging the edge. While I have shown the positioning ofthe conductor 2 as parallel to the long axis of body member 1, I pointout that this positioning is not limiting in this invention; thus, theconductor 2 may be enstructured at any desired angle, including to thelong axis of l, in any suitable combination of angles. FIG. 2, 2A and 2Bare intended to illustrate conductors in various phased arrays.

I point out that the electrical energy may be deposited via theelectrical firing leads into the conductor via the contact electrodes inmore than one way. While I have shown actual physical contact in FIG. 1,as by roller electrodes, other kinds of contact electrodes can be used,including blunt-end double needle type, roller balls, disks, andflexible blade or swiper type. All firing leads corresponding to 4 and 5in FIG. I which involve physical contact are generally best adapted tobody 1 motion or displacement at low speeds. For high speeds and highvoltages a "no-contact firing lead arrangement is preferred. This issimply a spark gap of minimal distance which allows sparkover passage ofthe electrical energy into the contact electrodes 3.

In FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B there is illustrated explodable conductors inseveral of the more simple phased arrays that are feasible in thevarious forms and embodiments of my invention, to be taken inconjunction with the other drawings herein. In FIG. 2 the explodableconductors 11 and contact electrodes 3 are depicted spaced from oneanother, as in FIG. 1, in linear array and in linear alignment at theintersect of a and b, and therefore all lying in the same plane, andmoving in the direction 8. FIG. 2A shows a side-by-side array ofconductors, with spatial array otherwise that of FIG. 2. FiG. 2B shows aside-by-side but ofiset array of conductors, with spatial arrayotherwise that of FIG. 2. These figures exemplify various planararrangements of a plurality of conductors, for the purpose ofemphasizing the variegated conductor arrays that can be used in thisinvention, so that explosion rates can be increased or decreased withoutchanging the rate of displacement in direction 8. It is evident, inaddition, that indepth or three-dimensional phased arrays can be made,as for example shown in a subsequent drawing (FIG. 6). It is alsoevident that the phased arrays shown here apply both to linear motionand to rotational motion of 8. In the case of the latter 8 is taken as aportion of an arc; thus, the conductors can be enstructured in aspinning disk and arranged parallel to the surface of the disk as anoutwinding spiral or as concentric circles; or, at right angles to thesurface of the disk; furthermore, in the case of a spinning cylinder orpolygon having enstructured conductors these conductors can lie parallelto the long axis of the cylinder or at right angles thereto; numerousother phased arrays are feasible and can be chosen according to the formthis invention takes for a particular application.

Examples of enstructured conductor assemblies are shown in FIGS. 3, 3A,3B, 3C and 3D. In FIG. 3 there is shown a solid cylindrical matrix bodymember 13 having positioned therein an explodable conductor 11 with itsancillary contact electrodes 3. Member 13 may be of high-strength,fiber-reinforced plastic or of high-strength ceramic, in which instancea sealed in transparent, dielectric solid such as glass, plastic orsapphire is employed as the window. A length of member 13 carries anyconvenient number of spaced conductors H with their electrodes 3 (e.g.,as shown in FIG. I). In addition, any convenient number of suchassemblies may be run side-by-side with or without side bonding, theconductors of which are aligned with respect to one another as shown forexample in FIG. 2, 2A and 28.

FIG. 3A is similar to FIG. 3 except that 14 represents yieldable resinor other blowout substance for shock energy venting when portion 13 istransparent. FIG. 3B is similar to FIG. 3A, but having an arrow Vdepicting the direction of shock dissipation and blowout with, inaddition, a shock sink 135" which upon subject to explosion deformsoutwardly, and being of advantage in high energy explosion for bothdissipation and containment of shock energy. FIG. 3C depicts stillanother version of the movable enstructured conductor structure; I5

represents spheroidal or like geometry body members encasing theexplodable conductor 11, having contact electrodes 3; the spheroidalgeometry minimizes shock escape in all directions. These can be strunglike beads for a contiguous series feeding through an explodingapparatus (as for example shown in FIG. 5), or they can be shot asprojectiles when the geometry is more evoid. In FIG. 3D there is shownanother enstructured conductor assembly wherein the body portion 13 issquare, rectangular or of like geometry; as with the assembly shown inFIG. 3C, there are adapted to successive conductor explosions when in asingle end-to-end series (as a tape or belt), or when run side-by-side(as in FIG. 1); furthermore, the structure of FIG. 30 may comprise aprojectile adapted to propulsion through the exploding system shown inFIG. 5, in which case the conductor 11 and its ancillary contactelectrodes 3 are realigned 90, with the contact electrodes 3 rising toand through the opposite sides of portion 13.

Taking the aforementioned figures in connection with subsequent figures,the various embodiments, features and advantages of this invention willbe better appreciated. Thus, in FIG. 3 there is shown in perspective aversion taken out of FIG. I, wherein there is arranged side-by-side,affixed or not to one another, solid, rigid or flexible cylinderscomprising the matrix body member I having enstructured a plurality ofexploded conductors 9, with exploded and unexploded condu c;

tors shown as It and Ill, respectively. Each of the conductors ll I isspace e apart from the other, and each is provided with e-spaced risercontact electrodes 3 adapted to close circuit with e-spaced firing leadmembers 4 and 5, shown in FIG. 4 as roller electrodes but, as detailedpreviously, electrodes which can be of other kinds including minimal gapsparkover electrodes; the members 4 and 5 are connected to a suitablepower source, described in detail hereinafter.

FIG. 5 shows in perspective exploding means through which is passed anenstructured conductor. The exploding means comprises an assembly ofguide members 19 and 20, which correspond to rails, a crib or otherbarrellike support and guide structure, together with electrical firingleads I7 and I8, which may be either contact type or minimal gapsparkover type, as desired, adapted to communicate an explwing surge ofelectrical energy via contact electrodes 3 into the explodable conductorll enstructured by body portion 1. In H6. 5 the explodable conductorsare aligned to the long axis of member 1, as contrasted to parallelalignment in FIG. 4; the conductors 2, I11 and It) correspond topreviously described conductors, with 9 being the explosion area and Lthe emitted light; the contact electrodes 3 are affixed to the ends ofthe conductors and rise to the edge surface of member 1 so as to be inelectrical communication with firing lead members 17 and 18. Arrow 8depicts the direction of motion of member I and its enstructuredcomponents.

Further in FIG. 5: member l a nd iisii'siiftiie'd Emi ponents may beflexible or rigid, and can be a belt or tape member, or representativeof a portion of a projectile having a plurality of explodable conductorswhich is shot through the barrellike structure comprising 19 and 20. Ihave used the numeral 16 to emphasize the fact that the contour orgeometry of the member 8 may be variable, as desired; in the drawing itis shown as biconvex; however, it may be round (in which case the innerportions of the barrellike structure 19 and 20 are rounded), plane onboth faces, planoconvex (with the plane face in the direction of L, asdesired); in addition, R may represent a reflector coating of saymagnesium oxide, or a coating of white candoluminescent oxide, therebyto have a dual function. v M v M FIG. I is a schematic perspectiveillustration of a phased array of explodable conductors II, II and II"having contact electrodes 3, and enstructured in body member 21. Thisassembly is designed to be moved or propelled through an explodingapparatus such as that shown in FIG. 5, either as a belt or as aprojectile or the like, as shown by arrow 8, with the emission of lightL. Member 21 is optionally provided with areflector R and, as desired,the roof portion of 21, as shown by 21' may contain an additive materialsuspended in the plastic or the like comprising 21, such ascandoluminescent particles, heat responsive, light-emitting metal orpyrotechnic composition to augment light output in both quality andquantity. Firing leads 22 and 22" are analogous to leads 17 and 18 ofFIG. 5, and are connected via wires 22, 23' and 23 to a switch S whichis fed by one side of a capacitor C lead, the other lead of which goesvia 24 to the firing lead members 22". .l and .I' are jacks or the likeso that once C is charged the assembly may be removed from the primarypower supply and be made portable. The schematics of phased arrayconductor firing includes first the charging of the capacitor C from theprimary power source, unplugging by means of J and J when portable useis desired, all with switch S in an open position. When the series ofconductor explosions is to be started switch S is closed while switch Sis at X, causing the explosion of the conductor at X, switch S thenmoving to close circuit at Y, causing explosion of the conductor at Y,and the switch S then closing circuit at Z, causing explosion of theconductor at Z. The assembly 21 then moves in direction 8 to presentconductors X, Y and Z' for sequential explosion, and meanwhile switch Shas moved from position Z back again to X to repeat the cycle; and so onthrough X"... Y"... Z", and thence to X... Y'... X'... and so on. Iprefer in the phased array explosion to explode the uppermost conductorfirst, i.e., 11, then 11' and fi l '5 hehas u srt is thatl i ep isauzsbuat in 21 is less likely to be marred as alsiiii of previous explo- Aways into 25, 25' and 25") to the opposite side of the bank ofconductors, corresponds to multichanneled delayed wire exploder unitsknown in the art, the circuitry and electronics of which is not deemednecessary of detailed description here (an example is to be found inChace and Moore, vol. 1, cited previously, at page 315 et. seq.).

FIG. 7 shows in perspective an embodiment of this invention whereinthere is a spinning rotor enstructuring body member 26 having a shank ordrive member 27 typically powered by an electric motor or other similarengine; members 26 and 27 may or may not be of the same material and, asdesired, member 27 can extend through the axis of 26 to pro videstability and strength and, when made reflective on its surface,comprising a reflector (in which case the surface of 27 extended throughthe axis of 26 can be optically faceted, i.e., comprise a plogon afterthe manner of the rotating drum mirror of the high speed camera) in anyevent, the substance of 26 is dielectric, transparent and shockconstraining, having features which are consistent with my discussionfor the previous figures set out herein. Members 26 and 27 can be ofcast plastic, of one-piece make; 26 can be a plastic or a materialscombination sleeve member adapted to fit into and engage 27; or, member26 can be a filament wound structure of plastic and glass, silica orlike filaments, the components having matched refractive indices forisotropicity (transparency), which filament wound structure is alsoapplicable to projectile and other enstructuring member construction.Typically, the glass content may be approximately 60 percent by volume;this would amount to a glass content of about 80 percent by weight and,based on an assumed value of 250,000 p.s.i. (pounds per square inch)against the stated strength of 100,000 p.s.i. for the fiber, would yielda cylinder having an ultimate girth strength strength of 100,000 psi.and a density of 0.072 lb./in. typically, hoop tension values forundirectional and helical windings are 155,000 p.s.i. and 1 10,000 psi,respectively; both net analysis and homogeneous material analysis areapplied to loading problems involving filament would structures.

Further in FIG. 7: with body member 26 there is embedded a commonelectrode 28 here shown as a metal disk, having an electrical conduit 29tapping one polarity of the power source (or ground) through member 27;affixed say radially about the periphery of 28 are the ends of aplurality of explodable conductors 30, the opposite ends of which areaffixed to individual contact electrodes 31 like 30 being embedded andspaced within 26, but rising to the surface of the end of 26 (asdesired, flush with the surface, slightly protruding or slightlyrecessed). juxtaposed at the end of 26 and aligned with member 31 iswhat I term a stator" assembly, which comprises an insulating sleevemember 32 with a firing lead member or electrode 33 set to close circuitthrough the explodable conductor 30 by minimal gap sparkover; 33 leadsto i the opposite side of the power source; the minimal gap is shown asG and the electrical conduit as 34. At 35 there is shown acontrarotating apertured drum having slits or other apertures 36',optionally, and depending upon the synchronization between member 26 andmember 35, a portion R of the drum may be made reflective; as apertures36 various choices can be made, depending upon the embodiment, includingparallel or angular slits, Nipkow, and the like, this arrangementprovides for a good deal of latitude in choice and design of a givenembodiment when, for example, velocity sieving is all important; Ldepects the light emitted by the explosion of the conductor 30.

Another embodiment is shown in perspective in H6. 8 wherein: there is adisk rotor member of the enstructuring type 37 having in the arrangementshown a central hole 38 (this is optional); enstructured within 37 is anexplodable conductor 40 having a affixed to its ends electrical contactelectrodes d 97 thsse net e ur ers ass 2 2.

,previously described. The power supplying stator assembly is .made upof two firing electrodes 31 and 41' having insulation sleeves 42 and 42and leads 43 and 43' to the power source. The light from the conductoris L and the minimal sparkover gap is shown as G. The arrangement of aplurality of explodable conductors 40 within member 37 can be variedfrom simple radial to concentric circular to outwinding spiral, asdesired; in these instances the stator firing assembly is not in a fixedposition, but is carried upon a laterially movable arm (with respect tothe plane of the disk surface) so as to be adapted to follow the seriesof explodable conductors and sequentially close circuit therewith.)Likewise, an edge-exploded arrangement can be used; thus, the statorassembly is mounted at the edge of the disk 37 which has the contactelectrodes 39 and 39' communicating with the surface of the edge of 37,the explodable conductor 40 being affixed between and at 90 to the planeof the disk surface; as in minimal gap sparkover and like electricalexploding electrode arrangements, ;the two electrodes are convenientlyspaced a distance the same as the distance between the contactelectrodes 39 and 39', other things being consistent with goodelectrical insulation so as to minimize arcing.

The means for rotating disk 37 shown in FIG. 8 is, for example, athree-bearing frictional drive at the edge of 37; or, the edge of thedisk 37 can be notched and driven by a toothed wheel; or, when the lightemitting system is employed without the laser resonator l have shown,and described below, the disk can be spun by a drive shaft inserted intohole 38 or by a .30 drive shaft engaging the disk at its center.

In H6. 8 l have shown a laser resonator system in combination with anexploding conductor pumping light source, just described; member 44represents a contrarotating (or as desired, phased corotating, alsoapplicable to the same element in FIG. 7) apertured disk having slits orother windows 45 may carry filters, lenses, etc.), and a center lightexit hole 47; the disk is mounted so that the apertures optically couplewith the light L given out by the explosion of a conductor. The laserresonator can be the usual elongated right 40 cylinder or other type;however, I prefer optical coupling with the cone face of the so-calledtrumpet type resonator having a sapphire (or glass) cone 47 integralwith or optically coupled to a ruby (or doped glass resonator shankmember 48 having an end reflector 49. in FIG. 8 the optical pathway isshown schematically as L (pumping light) passing through thesynchronized apertured disk Ml into cone member l7, and thence byinternal reflection into resonator member 48, where stimulation takesplace, the laser beam L finally passing from so the resonator andoptically unobstructed through the succession of holes 38 and 4s.

Yet another embodiment of this invention is perspectively illustrated inFIG. 9, wherein: there is a barrel 50 having a breech portion 51 and amuzzle portion 52; at a point say midway along the barrel (orsubstantially near the muzzle end) there is a window or aperture 53,which may be open or windowed with transparent material such as silicaor clear sapphire; mounted beneath or to the side of the window 53 arespaced electrical firing electrodes 54 and 54' adapted to close circuitwith a projectile carrying an explodable conductor when that projectilepasses down the barrel and past the window 53. l have shown theprojectile or bullet as S5, typically comprising an enstructuring bodyportion 56, of nature previously described and conveniently of matchedrefractive index filament wound structure, with an explodable conductor57 enstructured therein member 56, the conductor 57 having contactelectrodes 58 and 58'; the latter I have shown as metal disks incommunication with the surface of member 56, disks being preferred forstructural strength and ballistic balancing; as l have described inconnection with velocity sieving or the parting of shock from lightenergies by taking advantage of the velocity differential, theprojectile 55 is preferably adapted to propulsion through the barrel 50at velocities in excess of Mach 1 o the speed of sound; 1 equals 1' inthe drawing, which represents the distance between 58 and 58' and thedistance hav and 4 AS ewt 55.22 59? hav a! 54 and the light from theconductor explosion is optically coupled with window 53, that explosionis created by minimal gap sparkover which acts to close the circuitthrough the explodable conductor 57 of the bullet 55. At the breechportion 51 there is provided a magazine or chamber adapted to hold aplurality of rounds of bullets 55, these for firing at any convenientrate; the breech 51 is integral with the firing mechanism 60, which istypically a pressurized gas mechanism having an optional inlet 60 (orincluding a pressurized gas cartridge); the firing mechanism may be ofany convenient kind, and many such kinds are well known in the weaponsart, so a detailed description is deemed-unnecessary here; suffice it tosay, however, that I prefer a projectile propulsion capability for 60which includes both firing at a high rounds-per-minute (or other unit oftime in this instance) and high bullet velocity. As is evident, incertain applications of this invention, as in laser weaponry, it will bedesirable to embody as breech 51 and its ancillary firing mechanism 60the mechanics of the automatic weapons art, using a projectile having achemical explosive leaded cartridge. I have shown the unexplodedprojectile starting on its journey by arrow 61, and the explodedprojectile exiting from the muzzle 52 by arrow 61'; the disposition ofan exploded projectile can be by absorption into a suitable target, freeflight dumping when this is not objectionable, or the like; as desired,the muzzle 52 is equipped with a Maxim silencer or like anechoic orsound reduction device.

Further in FIG. 9: as the conductor bearing projectile 55 passes downthrough the barrel 50 it is caused to explode by minimal gap sparkoverclosing of the circuit through the conductor 57, to release a pulse oflight L which then passes through aperture or window 53 and on to anirradiable target such as a laser resonator 62. In FIG. 9 the laserresonator is of rod form, having an end mirror 62, and aligned long axisparallel to the long axis of the barrel 50; the laser 62 has an exit end62" from which is released the laser beam L' upon pumping by light L;the laser resonator 62 is conveniently mounted by supports 63 upon theinside wall of an elliptical reflector R in a manner so the opticalpathway of reflected light from R is least obstructed.

Further in FIG. 9: as the conductor bearing projectile 55 passes downthrough the barrel 50 it is caused to explode by minimal gap sparkoverclosing of the circuit through the conductor 57, to release a pulse oflight L which then passes through aperture or window 53 and on to anirradiable target such as a laser resonator 62. In FIG. 9 the laserresonator is of rod form, having an end mirror 62', and aligned longaxis parallel to the long axis of the barrel 50; the laser 62 has anexit end 62" from which is released the laser beam L upon pumping bylight L; the laser resonator 62 is conveniently mounted by supports 63upon the inside wall of an elliptical reflector R in a manner so theoptical pathway of reflected light from R is least obstructed.

While I have shown in FIG. 9 the magazine 59 as a top loading clip. I donot wish to be limited by this particular form, as is the case alreadymentioned for the firing mechanism 60; thus, the magazine or loadingmeans may be side-entering clip,

rotating drum, or side-fed belt, after the manner of contempo-- rary andwell known automatic weapons. For the more simple utilizations of thisembodiment a single shot breech and firing arrangement can be employed,with manual reloading. For rapid fire versions, shock and vibrationabsorbent padding and like elements are used, also recoil takeupstructure after the fashion of the gunnery art.

FIG. 9A shows in side elevation further details of the electrical firingelectrodes or circuit closing electrodes 54 and 54' that areconductor-exploding power source fed, taken from FIG. 9, wherein: 64 isa portion of the gun barrel and 65 is the housing for the circuitclosing electrodes or electrical firing electrodes, with 66 representinginsulation and 66 a grommet also of dielactric; the circuit closing orfiring electrode is depicted as 67, having attached thereto a powersource cable 68 provided with insulation 68'. Residing above member 67and adapted to minimal gap sparkover close circuiting is projectileenstructuring portion 69 having in communication with the surface of 69and circuit closing communication with member 67 an electrical contactelectrode 70 previously detailed as flush with 69, recessed from 69, orslightly protruding from 69, it being noted that I prefer the former twofrom the standpoint of integrity of propellant-to-barrel wall seal; G,again, is the minimal gap sparkover circuit closure which results in theexplosion of the explodable conductor.

Now having detailed and described thisinvention in its variousembodiments in view of the drawings, the following information is to betaken in conjunction with the same so that the numerous and variedadvantageous features and novelties of this invention are betterappreciated.

The means for moving an enstructured conductor will vary with theparticular form of this invention, and variations are well within thechoice of those skilled in the art. In the case of moving belt, tape orlike assemblies, the body member 1 as in FIG. 1 can be frictionally ornotch engaged by a variablespeed toothed wheel driven by an electricmotor; or, when flexible members are involved, motorized upwinding ontoa takeup spool from a supply spool; or, when short rigid lengths ofenstructured conductor is fed linearly and rate of feed is not overlycritical a simple gravity drop can be employed, weighted or unweightedas desired. In the case of spinning disks and cylinders the conventionalgear and bearing drives are preferred, with high speed motors andso-called frictionless bearing employed when extremely high rates offiring are desired; likewise, gas and air turbine motors are to be used,after the well-known fashion of the mechanical elements employed todrive the rotating drums and mirror cylinders of high speed andultrahigh speed cameras; and the like.

In propelling one or a number of rounds of light emitting explodableconductor projectiles I prefer to rely upon the automatic weapons artwith high pressure gas as the propellant. There are a good many of thesesystems known, and since they are within the skill of the artizan theyare not deemed necessary of detailed description here. When, however, itis desired to impel a light emitting projectile both at very high firingrates and at several or more Mach number velocities automaticweapons-type feeding, as for example machine gun ammunition canister orbelt ammunition feedings are used; chemical explosive propellant is thenused, and the projectile, usually cylindrical, merely replaces theconventional metal bullet in the cartridge case which contains solidpropellant, e.g., black gunpowder or other suitable explosive, and theusual primer for firing. It is noted that modern automatic weapons arerated as high as 6,000 rpm, as in the case of the electric-Gatling gunor the Gatling-Vulcan gun, which guns are multiple barreled.

Depending upon the modification the matrix or sheath member for theexplodable conductor may be of a single material or composite involvingseveral materials. The common properties of dielectric strength andsubstantial trans- 5 parency apply to all choices, except when thematerials are chosen for structural strength and reinforcing qualitiesper se. Examples of matrix materials include various plastics,highstrength and impact-resistant and tempered glasses, and such othermaterials as fused silica and machined quartz crystal. In the case ofplastics and glasses additives such as colorants may be included for thepurpose of blocking a given portion of the spectrum. Likewise, theexterior of the matrix member can be layered, coated or similarlytreated with filtering media, as for example infrared and/or ultravioletabsorbent materials to cut down the heat released but still pass otherportions of the spectrum.

Following are typical plastics which can be employed singly and/or incombination with heavy-duty, tempered glass, silica, ceramic, machinedquartz crystal, sapphire, and like materials; in certain instances thechoice may be based upon the refractive index and secondarily upontensile strength, and vice versa; in the case of dielectric strength itis of course preferred that the value be as high as possible; in thecase of transparency," I mean by this tenn not only visible-clear, butalso ultraviolet and/or infrared clear (which may or may not involvevisible clarity) in the manner o f a ba nd:pass filter; MU

Refractive Minimum Tensile Matrix Index Strength (psi) Polyamidcs 1.531245x10 Epoxy 158 10x10 Polycarbonate 9-l0 10 Acrylic 1.485-1.500 910x10Polystyrene 1585-1600 8.9)(10 Polystyrene (impact) 5.6)(10 (Temperedglass) 1.4564574 up to 10 For composite matrices, e.g., sheathed,vented, light-pipes, where refractive index is of paramount interest, anumber of so-called plastic glasses can be employed, as for example(refractive index in parenthesis); vinyl carbazole (1 .683 leadmethylmethacrylate (1.645); 2,6-dichlorostyrene (1.623); vinyl phenylsulfide (1.657); p-divinyl benzene (1.615); chlorostyrene 1.609);a-napthylmethylmethacrylate 1.641); vinyl napthalene (1.682); and thelike. These are refractively matched with the host material comprising asolid state laser resonator, according to the art. Other opticalplastics and their refractive indices can be found listed in the articleon Plastic Glasses by H. C. Raine, Proceedings of the London Conferenceon Optical Instrumentation, p. 243( 1950).

In this invention I can employ what I believe is a broadly noveladvance, that of velocity sieving." This expression designates themethod and means of separating the usable electromagnetic wave energyfrom the unusable and target insulating shock or mechanical energy,created simultaneously in an exploding conductor, by virtue of the twovelocity differences. Thus, light energy has a constant and highvelocity of 186,000 miles/sec., whereas shock energy has a much less andvariable velocity, depending upon the system and conditions involved,and ranging upwards from about 1,000 ft./sec. to several or more Machnumbers. In velocity sieving the explodable conductor is moved at aspeed which allows light to reach an irradiable target while the slowershock energies are carried away from the field of the target by thedisplacement of the explodable conductor.

Thus, taking FIG. 9 as a homely example: If l-l-l l l inf,

with the conductor carrying projectile moving at approximately Mach 5 or5,000 ft./sec., the conductor resides for explosion at the aperturecorresponding to l for approximately 15 usee, with an additional l5usec. lapse in portion 1" of the barrel before leaving the muzzle. Ifthe conductor length I is but one-half of this, then the total lapsedtime for passage through portion 1'+l" is about 15 ,usec. By cutting 1"completely off and by stopping down or reducing the aperture size to say0.3 ind. or less the time constant can readily be reduced to 5 usec. orless. With higher Mach members an 7 added reduction is of course to behad.

It is noted that in FIG. 9 the long axis of the conductor is parallel tothe long axis of the barrel. By simply realigning the conductor 90, andappropriately readjusting the aperture, and repositioning the firingleads, as in FIG. 5 and 6, the realm of the fractional microsecond isthen attained. When this system is employed to pump a laser resonator,such as a rod, it is also suitably realigned. Using FIG. 5 again as anexample, if projectile enstructuring body 1 carries say 10 spacedconductors, one then can fire at an extremely high rate of speed andwithin a very brief period deposit tens of kilojoules of energy into theexploding sequence.

It is thus by velocity sieving that shock energy can be parted from thelight burst: that is, the conductor in projectile form is moved at avelocity such that it presents itself to the target with virtuallyinstantaneous release of light while the projectile carries its nowbuilding shock energy from the target field and into a nontarget areawhere the shock can be harmlessly released, as by rupture of theprojectile, if need by, after it leaves the muzzle of the apparatus.

Velocity sieving is of the most value when conductors enstructured inprojectile body members are to be fired at extremely high rates. Thishigh rate may be in excess of 500 rpm, as is well known to those versedin the automatic weapons art; however, for most applications of thisinvention a much lower firing rate will suffice. It is quite evidentthat high firing rates are of much interest in such applications as thedirected energy and radiation weapons field, for antipersonnel anddefense and antiweapons problems, including those in outer space, wheredestructive energies of very great magnitudes are desired.

It is also evident from conductor-matrix assembly inertial and velocityconsiderations, as well as those of friction, that shock-light partingby velocity sieving either is not attained or is not desirable forsimpler and less dynamic exploding conductor systems where the conductordisplacement rate (linear, plane rotational, spinning, etc.) is far lessthan that necessary or able to carry off shock energy via the movingmatrix member.

Velocity sieving is applicable to a rotating enstructured conductor(spinning as a disk, as a cylinder, or as geometric variations of thesesuch as a polygonal cylinder), with and without field or aperturestopping down, to permit higher energy depositions and/or shorterexplosions at greater displacement rates. As in the case of theprojectile example, supra, I prefer that the matrix or body member be acomposite structure with a substance such as heavy-duty glass, sapphireor silica as the 25 first surface laminate or enveloping element. Thehard, almost zero creep glass or like envelope of the spinning conductorassembly provides mechanical stability and strength for high rotationalspeeds, as contrasted to flowable and deformable body solid such asplastic which first undergoes dynamic imbalancing due to stress inducedvariations, and then imbalancing due to weight variations induced byunexploded-exploded conductor arrays, and, finally, rupture when thecentrifugal force exceeds the elastic limits of the medium.

The efficiency of velocity sieving can be increased by delimiting theconductor explosion area; that is, by stopping down the aperture throughwhich the light passes. With a split aperture and an exploding wire thewidth of the slit may correspond to from one to several wire diametersand the slit length may be of wire length or less for both projectilesand 0 whirling conductor assemblies, as may be desired and dictated bythe particular end use of this invention. Likewise, for enstructuredexploding films and foils, as well as enstructured implosion conductorsthe aperture size is considered together with the displacement velocity.

In such modifications of this invention where velocity sieving is notdesired or is not feasible, as in the case of the relatively slowermoving conductor assemblies of FIG. 4 and 5,

' and in special geometry versions, the dynamic load undergone by theenstructuring enstructuring member may be controlled or minimixed in oneor more of several different additional ways. These include: (a) controlof the size of the explodable conductor, e.g., by use of very fine wiresor thin films; (b) control of the power surge through the conductor, asby dropping the voltage; (c) increasing the size of the matrix member,e.g., in radius in the case of a cylindrical assembly; ((1) selection ofhigh tensile strength matrix material and combinations thereof; (e) theuse of composite matrix structuring, e.g., plastic and high strengthglass laminates, also by the use of glass fiber or tape winding, as wellas by the use of plastic containing silica or glass fibers embeddedwithin it; (f) by the use of implosion or explosion-implosion conductorarrangements, as explained elsewhere herein; (g) by providing shockenergy excapements such as by venting, also described elsewhere herein,(1) making the matrix wall not in the direction of the target, e.g.,laser resonator, thinner than that through which the explosion-derivedlight passes so as to provide a breakaway escapement and hence a ventingof the shock energy, (2) providing a composite sheathing assembly ofhigh strength glass or silica tubing having a core filling of yieldableplastic axially through which runs the explodable conductor, with orwithout the backside of the outer tubing provide with slits, holes orthe like through which the core substance is in some instances literallysquirted from the exploding conductor with concurrent lessening of thedynamic load in the direction of the target. An example of a number ofpossible yariation s is where R is the external radius; P, is theinternal pressure; r is a conductor-carrying matrix-member tube of T"geometry;

the top or head of the T carries the explodable conductor within, whichis of length approximately the diameter of the leg of the T andpositioned just above that leg, the leg being of larger caliber than thetop, as desired; this whole assembly can be filled with thermoplasticresin. (h) In addition, particularly in the case of bulletlike conductorassemblies propelled through a barrel or of spinning disk or similarassemblies the linear or rotational speed may be of a very high value,such that an exploded conductor has wholly or partially passed from thefield of emission before breakage, crazing or other mechanical damagehas occurred in the matrix member. It is noted that cracking, crazing,rupture and the like may partially occur without diminishing theeffectiveness of this invention for many applications.

The dynamic load placed upon the matrix member by an exploding conductoris difficult to analyze, particularly when implosion or combinedexplosion-implosion phenomena arednvolved, and the best measure oftoughness is in end use; with composite matrix members and thoseinvolving venting the problem becomes more complex. However, for generalguidance the von Mises-Hickey yield condition can often be profitablyapplied to plastic matrices:

where S is the hoop stress; S is the longitudinal stress; 8,, is theradial stress; S is the yield stress in tension at the time of failure.According to the theory for a homogenous pipe, the yield stress intension at the time of failure equals the hoop stress time 3/2. For aclosed end tube with thick walls, the equation giving the allowablepressure is:

the internal radius; 1 is the thickness.

The explodable conductor (or explodant) is typically a wire of smallcross-sectional diameter, and large surface area, e.g., ranging fromseveral tenths of a mi] in diameter to several tens of mils in diameter;in addition, the filamentous conductor may be of cross-sectionalgeometries other than circular, as for example, square, triangular,flat. These may be straight, coiled, zigzag or of other convenientconfiguration taken in a linear sense. Moreover, the conductor may besolid (coated or uncoated; laminated, sandwiched or not) or hollow (alsocoated or uncoated; laminated, sandwiched or not). In the case ofcomposite conductors an assembly or more than two conductor materialscan be used for dilating the output frequency range. The conductor canbe of any convenient length, e.g., from several tenths of an inch toseveral inches, depending upon the modification and the depositedenergy.

As the explodant, a thin film or foil of metal or other suitablesubstance can be employed. For example, in thicknesses ranging betweenseveral tens and several thousandths of Angstroms. These are put downupon a suitable substrate, e.g., silica, sapphire, glass, plastic, bychemical deposition, vacuum evaporation or the like. They may be of anyconvenient dimension: a typical explodant metal film is 200 A. thick andis approximately one inch in width and two inches in length. This filmis exploded along its length by the deposition therein of electricalenergy supplied, for example, by a power source made up of a 1.4 mf.capacitor charged to voltages ranging between 1,500 and 5,000 volts.

The light-producing explodable conductor may be of an imploding typewith or without an exploding conductor operating simultaneously. Atypical implosion conductor member is a hollow cylinder or tube theinside surface of which carries the implodant in the form of a film orthin metal foil. When electrical energy is poured into the implodant animplosion takes place. As desired, an axial explodable conductor, e.g.,a fine wire, may simultaneously receive an electrical energy depositsufficient to cause it to explode. A typical arrangement includes acylinder 0.5 inch in diameter and one inch in length; the inside wall iscoated with implodant conductor material of thickness ranging betweenapproximately 50 and 500. The electrical energy is supplied at the endsof the cylinder, as by means of annular ring or disk contact electrodes,causing uniform energy deposition and an inwardly collapsing shock wave.One of the manifest features of the implosion type of conductor is thatthe shock insult is lessend for the surrounding environment. With thisarrangement an exploding insult is lessend for the surroundingenvironment. With this arrangement an exploding circuit includes a l mf.capacitor charged by a transformer, e.g., 10 to 40 kv.

The choices of conductor material include pure metal or conductiveelemental substance, alloys including amalgams, and compositeassemblies. in the latter instance these can be braided or twistedwires, also stacked or laminated foils or films, or coated conductors(e.g., surface amalgamated for enhanced explodability). Core filledconductors are preferred for highly reactive substances, for ease offabrication, and for substances which are selected for emissivitycompositional qualities. For example, microtubes filled with fine (oftenpyrophoric) metal powders or reactive metals, nonmetals, or metalloids;also, various allotropes, e.g., phosphorus, carbon, selenium; also,solid compounds carrying one or more elements of particular spectralinterest, e.g., hydrogen and deuterium alloys with metals,deuterohydrates, field valency hydrides or deuterides of iron or nickel,or the so-called saline compounds of hydrogen or deuterium and metals ofthe first, second and third chief subgroups of the periodic system whichgive solid, colorless hydrides or deuterides, viz, all of the alkalimetals, the elements calcium, strontium and barium of the second group,and the rare earths of the third group.

As explodants of pure materials I prefer elements selected from theperiodic system, as follows: Group [A (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs); Group llB(Cu, Ag, Au (which metals give better explo' sions when surfaceamalgamated with mercury)); Group A (Be, Mg; Ca, Sr, Ba); Group "B (Zn,Cd, Hg); Group lllA (B (B(which has good conductivity after the initialresistance heating which occurs or when it carries traces of carbon),Al, Ga, in, T1); Group lllB (Sc, Y, La); Group-IVA (C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb);Group lVB (Ti, Zr, Hf); Group VA(P, As, Sb, Bi, N as nitrides or thelike); Group VB (V, Nb, Ta); Group VlA (sulfur and oxygen as compounds,Se, Te); Group VIB (Cr, Mo, W); Group VllA (the halogens as compounds);Group VllB (Mn, Re), Group VIII (Fe, Co, Ni, and the platinum metals);and, in particular for laser pumping because of their many well-definedspectral lines the lanthanides (Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, l-lo,Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) as well as the actinites (Th, U(and for specialtyresearch and investigational utilizations the transuranium elements)).

it is noted that the explodable conductor can be alkali metal, e.g.,potassium, sodium, cesium, in pure form alloyed with another alkalimetal, or amalgamated with mercury. In this embodiment l prefer that thealkali metal explodant be carried in fine glass or silica capillarytubes which are in electrical communication with the electrode members.I point out that when such explodable conductors are employed, theactive species in the case of the laser resonator may be of the same orsimilar alkali metal for increased efficiencies; for example, a cesiumvapor laser is stimulated by light from a mercury arc; I refine andextend in this invention by the use of a cesium-mercury alloy(amalgam)explodable conductor which provides pumping energies derived from bothmercury vapor and cesium vapor. If an implodant alkali metal conductoris desired, the implodant material is layered onto the inside surface ofa glass or other suitable substrate, as described above.

As explodable conductor adjunctives I prefer to use candoluminescentsolids in that these materials markedly depart from the usual black-bodytemperature radiation relationships and exhibit a much higher opticaltemperature, i.e., a light output that is hundreds to tens of thousandsof times that of a black-body at the same temperature. These areutilized not only for enhanced light emissivity, including spectralregions peculiar to the substance, but also for the transduction ofotherwise wasted ultraviolet thermal and plasma electron energies (inthe latter instance exhibiting cathodolu 15.. minescence) inherent inthe exploding conductor phenomenon. Candoluminescent which are usuallycathodoluminescent) solids can be coated upon the conductor; theconductor may be hollow and core filled with the additives; and/or, inthe case of implodable conductors, surface coating (both internally andexternally to the film or foil), or lightly packed into the implosioncavity. in addition, the matrix member material can carry embeddedparticles, microbeads, candoluminescent fabric (after the manner of aWelsbach mantle), or candoluminescent fibers (in this instance suitablechoices provide strengthening of the matrix). The concentration of theseadditives or adjunctives can be of any convenient value, 50:50 being atypical value when the candoluminescent solid is carried within theplastic matrix substance.

Candoluminescent solids, like cathodoluminescent solids, are generallyof two kinds: pure and doped or activated (the latter sometimes beingidentical with known laser resonator solids). The substances are mostlyoxides but may be silicates and alumino silicates from Group II, and theeven series of Groups Ill, IV and V of the periodic system, as forexample: Group ll (oxides of Be, Mg, Ca, An, and to a lesser extent Baand Sr); Group lll (oxides of B, A], Ga, and the rare earth elements);Group IV (oxides of Si, Ti, Th Zr, Hf); Group Group V (oxides of Nb andTa). Examples of doped solids include ruby, rare earth-doped calciumfluoride, and tantalum oxidedoped niobium oxide. The Nb O :Ta system,for instance, releases more than 85Xl0 times the expected temperatureradiation at 0.450 n; the value for ruby is 1.5Xl0 for the same spectralregion; among the rate earths erbium oxide, Er O is a notable emitter.The emissivity characteristics of these materials is the same or verysimilar to the banded spectra produced when the same substance isexcited by X-rays, ultraviolet light, or by electron rays.

The power source or electrical feed energy for the explodable conductorassembly is usually a high voltage transformer and one or morecapacitors. A number of such systems are well known and can be founddescribed, for example, in the Chace and Moore tomes cited previously.Generally there is a switch in one lead from the capacitor bank, thisusually being thyratron, trigatron or three-electrode. [t is desirablethat all of the bus work be designed for minimum inductance consistentwith the maximum voltage employed. The circuit functions by charging thecapacitor bank to the desired voltage with an adjustable voltage supply.The energy in the bank is:

.l= /zC\/' where .l is the energy in joules (or watt-seconds); C is thebank capacitance; and V is the bank voltage.

Since the stored energy varies as the square of the voltage, it

electrode switch-gap in which the middle electrode acts as the trigger,the energy then being transmitted by say a coaxial cable to the firingmembers and through the contact electrodes and thence through theexplodable conductor.

A number of modifications of this basic elementary circuit can beemployed in the present invention, depending upon the modification andembodiment. These range from single shot electrical pulses to multipletransformer-capacitor banks to various designs of multichannel delayedexploder units. Likewise, specialty feed energy circuits and componentscan be employed. For example, the entire explodable conductor system canbe made portable simply by making the transformer detachable from thecapacitor bank and its connected firing leads and the firingelectrode-explodable conductor assembly. This modification is of specialinterest in military and weaponry applications ofthe present invention.Eurtherrnoge,

the system may be automated or designed for remote firing upon commandby a suitable signal such as a radio signal; these versions are ofparticular interest in weaponry as well as in space applications of thelaser light beam. While a direct current transformer is generallyemployed, fed from conventional power lines, the electrical energy may,as desired, be derived from nuclear energy power sources such as theSNAP or other so-called atomic battery sources of power.

Multiple transformer-capacitor banks can be used when rapid rechargingand/or use of the stored energy is necesary, as in the case of a fastmoving belt or series of projectiles each carrying explodableconductors. In some instances, again as desired, only a part of thestored energy will be used in the explosion, e.g., with fine wires andthin foils or films, so that the conductor behaves as a fuse in anindividual firing to leave sufficient power in the capacitor bank forsubsequent firings. As is set out elsewhere herein, it is evident thatthe energy deposited in the conductor may vary over extremely wideranges. In the case of explodable wire 5 mils in diameter and 0.5 inchin length the explosion is induced by energy deposition therein from a 2pf. capacitor charged to voltages ranging lbetween 800 and 700 volts,using a thyratron switch. These ;values are illustrative and rangecommensurately downward for so-called whiskers" and films. At the otherend of the energy spectrum, for high energy depositions and ventedand/or thickly sheathed conductors with the irradiable target placed asubstantial distance away so as to minimize damage from shock energythat may escape or from partial shock constrainment but shattering ofthe matrix member the power supply may comprise an 8,000-volttransformer feeding I6 50- ].Lf. capacitors, the transformer being fedby 3-phase, 60 cycle, 220-volt line. The output is in the range of 800to 8.000 volts, having a maximum energy storage of approximately 25kilojoules and an average power of about l0 kw. Advantageously, thelight from the electrically exploded conductor can be modulated.Typically, light modulation is accomplished by: (a) the employment ofphased conductor arrays or multiplexed explodable conductors; (b) theuse of phased array or multiplexed conductors in varying compositionalsequence; (c) the use of phased array or multiplexed conductors ofvarying structural sequence to provide a particular profile of lightbursts; (d) by selective aperturing; (e) by use of filters; and so on.Thus, the use of phased array and multiplexed conductors is illustratedin FIG. 2, 2A and 28, as well as in FIG. 6', the use of phased array ormultiplexed conductors in particular compositional sequence isillustrated by my l 50 to provide a given profile by size and structuraland geometrical variations, including implodants, with or withoutvariations in deposited energy, make for an extremely large number ofcombinations and variations; and the like. Once created the light may bemodulated by such additional and conventional I 5 5 methods and means aselectro-optic and electromagnetic shuttering.

The laser (optical maser, uvaser, iraser-as it is also called) lightwave generator (also termed cavity, active species, resonator or thelike) may be solid, liquid or gaseous or combinations thereof, asdictated by pumping energy requirements and the particular modificationof this invention. A number of such coherent and near coherent laserresonators are well known in the art and they are increasing veryrapidly in number and complexity, ranging from simple rods which areusually pumped through the sides and having optically parallel ends(e.g., percent reflective on one end and a lfew or zero percentmirroring on the opposite end), confocal ends, one fresnel end, or thelike; also cubic prismatic, hexagonal and like configurations (takencross-sectionally); also, fiber optic assemblies light-piping thepumping light into the lasing active species; also, composite systemssuch as ruby overlaid with sapphire usually side pumped) or the same ofgadolinium-doped or neodymium-doped or ytterbium-doped glasses overlaidwith glass (also usually side pumped), as well as trumpet or conedassemblies made of a shank member carrt nrshsa iyssrss ea s 39"?PKEPEIWEPQB WEEK? tor involved (pumped through the cone face, usuallyfull mirrored on the endoftl ecayity shanle). V I

The laser light wave generator can be optically coupled to the pumpinglight originating in the exploding conductor by simple, straight lineoptical alignment of the two members or systems. Thus, the laser member,for example, may be juxtaposed parallel to the long axis of theexplodable conductor and set out from that conductor a short distance;or, the laser may be ringed or semiringed with explodable conductorsarranged in the same fashion. For increased pumping efficiency i preferto place the laser member and the explodable conductor at the foci of anelliptical cavity lined with a highly reflective material, e.g., MgO.The cavity wall reflects light from the exploding conductor and focusesit on the laser. When the explodable conductor is relatively small inlength as compared to the cross-sectional diameter of the laser rod,cube or other input face the laser may be provided with a trumpet-shapedend or side into which the explodable conductor light is poured. Anexample is the ruby-sapphire crystal grown in this form, reducingpumping power requirements to about onetenth of the usual values andproviding lasing of greater duration. Other arrangements are within theskill of the art and can be suitably chosen as the modificationrequires.

1. A circularly rotatable upon the long axis, light-emittingelectrically explodable conductor assembly which comprises a phasedarray of peripherally spaced explodable conductors embedded within acylindrical, transparent and blast-resistant body member characterizedas a dielectric solid having transparent window portions opticallycoupled to the said explodable conductors and electrical contactelectgdesaifiixcd to the ends of the saFdsficdexp o a e con uctors anrising o the top and bottom surfaces of the said cylindrical bodymember, whereby upon passage of the said assembly between spacedelectrical energy exploding electrodes connected to a source ofelectrical energy the circuit is closed through the said conductors withthe explosion in phased array of same, and means for rotating the saidconductor assembly upon its long axis so that said electrical contactelectrodes are sequentially connected to said electrical energyelectrodes so that sequential bursts of light are emitted from saidexploding conductors.

2. An exploding conductor system for the generation of laser lightpulses which comprises the combination of laser generator opticallycoupled with a rotatable cylindrical body member of transparent,dielectric shock constraining solid having a phased array of explodableconductors embedded therein, each of the said conductors having a pairof electrodes in communication with the surface of said cylindrical bodymember, each of the said conductors and its electrodes beingdielectrically spaced apart from the others within the said body member;an electrical energy source adapted to explode the said conductors, saidsource being switchably connected with circuit closing lead memberspositioned to close circuit with the said electrodes and through thesaid conductor; means for rotating the said body member and enstructuredexplodable conductors and electrodes such that the electrodessuccessively close circuit with the said circuit closing lead members,whereby to induce explosion in the conductors in phased array andconcurrently constrain the shock energy while releasing the lightgenerated in the said explosion to the optically coupled lasergenerator, whereby to generate the said laser light pulses.

1. A circularly rotatable upon the long axis, light-emittingelectrically explodable conductor assembly which comprises a phasedarray of peripherally spaced explodable conductors embedded within acylindrical, transparent and blast-resistant body member characterizedas a dielectric solid having transparent window portions opticallycoupled to the said explodable conductors, and electrical contactelectrodes affixed to the ends of the said spaced explodable conductorsand rising to the top and bottom surfaces of the said cylindrical bodymember, whereby upon passage of the said assembly between spacedelectrical energy exploding electrodes connected to a source ofelectrical energy the circuit is closed through the said conductors withthe explosion in phased array of same, and means for rotating the saidconductor assembly upon its long axis so that said electrical contactelectrodes are sequentially connected to said electrical energyelectrodes so that sequential bursts of light are emitted from saidexploding conductors.
 2. An exploding conductor system for thegeneration of laser light pulses which comprises the combination oflaser generator optically coupled with a rotatable cylindrical bodymember of transparent, dielectric shock constraining solid having aphased array of explodable conductors embedded therein, each of the saidconductors having a pair of electrodes in communication with the surfaceof said cylindrical body member, each of the said conductors and itselectrodes being dielectrically spaced apart from the others within thesaid body member; an electrical energy source adapted to explode thesaid conductors, said source being switchably connected with circuitclosing lead members positioned to close circuit with the saidelectrodes and through the said conductor; means for rotating the saidbody member and enstructured explodable conductors and electrodes suchthat the electrodes successively close circuit with the said circuitclosing lead members, whereby to inducE explosion in the conductors inphased array and concurrently constrain the shock energy while releasingthe light generated in the said explosion to the optically coupled lasergenerator, whereby to generate the said laser light pulses.